AD FS. SPWeb.EnsureUser exception on AD user

Question

We use ADFS and have a problem.

The PeoplePicker find users and show a string such as: "UserDisplayName [Active Directory]".

But the page throws the following error:

Microsoft.SharePoint.SPException: The specified user i:0#.w|kspd\fzimin could not be found.   
 at Microsoft.SharePoint.SPWeb.EnsureUser(String logonName)    
 at Microsoft.SharePoint.Administration.SPSiteAdministration.set_SecondaryContactLoginName(String value)    
 at Microsoft.SharePoint.ApplicationPages.OwnersPage.BtnConfirm_Click(Object sender, EventArgs e)    
 at System.Web.UI.WebControls.Button.OnClick(EventArgs e)    
 at System.Web.UI.WebControls.Button.RaisePostBackEvent(String eventArgument)    
 at System.Web.UI.Page.RaisePostBackEvent(IPostBackEventHandler sourceControl, String eventArgument)    
 at System.Web.UI.Page.ProcessRequestMain(Boolean includeStagesBeforeAsyncPoint, Boolean includeStagesAfterAsyncPoint)

Answer 1

I would say your user profile service is not working for some reason or another, I would check the logs and look for more details.

Is this a console application? I am not sure where you are using your code remember SPContext doesn't exist here.

Is sql server fully up to date with the latest service pack? This causes errors with user lookups and direct browsing.

Also I googled this up for you as a start point, but your logs are the way to go. http://social.msdn.microsoft.com/Forums/en/sharepointdevelopment/thread/8030d35f-fe49-4dd4-8416-a281ed4c0228